The Daily Punch And we're back... kind of
Feb 23, 2026
They preview State of the Union week and the optics shaping Capitol Hill. Funding fights at DHS and threats to TSA and immigration operations get unpacked. Tension with Iran and looming war powers debates are flagged. The Supreme Court’s tariff ruling sparks a scramble over trade authority. AI super PACs pouring millions into Texas primaries also come into focus.
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Weather Caused Canceled Votes And State Of The Union Headaches
- Travel and weather disrupted congressional votes and will likely complicate State of the Union attendance.
- Jake recounts canceled votes and predicts backlogged travel could reduce attendance and create notable visuals at the address.
Congressional Leaders Juggle Multiple Compressed Crises
- Congressional leaders face overlapping crises that compress decision windows and force tradeoffs.
- Jake Sherman highlights DHS funding, travel disruptions, and a hardening of positions that make a near-term compromise unlikely.
DHS One Pager Won't Close The Funding Gap
- A DHS funding standoff is escalating because proposed administrative changes fall far short of Democratic demands.
- Jake notes the administration sent a one‑pager on border operations but it “goes nowhere close” to what Democrats want, making a shutdown prolonged.